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Merlin Names Charlie Lexton as New CEO

Merlin has appointed Charlie Lexton as its next CEO, effective Jan. 1, the indie licensing organization announced Wednesday (Nov. 12). Lexton will succeed Jeremy Sirota, who announced his exit in May after serving in the role since 2020. Lexton has worked for Merlin since its 2007 founding and has served as the organization’s COO since […]

Robert Irwin Dances to Perfection for ‘DWTS’ 20th Birthday Party

Dancing With The Stars celebrated its own, 20th Birthday Party on Tuesday night (Oct. 11), and Robert Irwin was handing out the gifts. Party night featured two unique rounds of dance. The first saw couples complete routines set to the songs of freestyle routines from earlier DWTS seasons. Then, each celebrity performed with a former […]

Cleto Escobedo III, ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ Bandleader, Dies at 59

Cleto Escobedo III, the longtime bandleader and saxophonist for Jimmy Kimmel Live, co-creator of the late-night staple’s theme tune, and best friend of its host, has died at the age of 59. Kimmel broke the sad news on his social accounts, and gave a teary farewell to his good friend Tuesday night during his nightly […]

Mashd N Kutcher Serves Up McHappy Day 2025 Anthem

Mashd N Kutcher’s next tune is a banger for a good cause. The APRA Award-winning electronic music act dishes up the official tune for 2025 McHappy Day this Saturday (Nov. 15), the biggest annual fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) in Australia. The bouncing cut captures the voices of children and their families staying […]

TEG Acquires Twenty3 Live

SYDNEY, Australia — After a 17-year partnership, TEG makes it official by bringing Twenty3 Live into the fold. TEG, the Sydney-based live entertainment, data and tech giant, snaps up Twenty3 Live, a leading marketing, media, sponsorship and activation agency. The so-called “strategic acquisition” further enhances TEG’s in-house marketing and digital capability in its global touring portfolio, […]

Secretly Distribution Establishes APAC Office

SYDNEY, Australia — Secretly Distribution has its sights set on APAC, with the launch of a new regional office. Based in Sydney, Australia, the independent music group’s APAC activities are led by Max Thomas, who rises to head of APAC, after leading Secretly Group’s APAC marketing and strategy for the past four years. In that […]

Kodak Black Is Launching a $YAK Artist Coin

Kodak Black is collaborating with the music discovery platform Audius to launch a new artist coin. Timed to Yak’s annual Kodak Day celebration in his hometown of Pompano Beach, Fla., the rapper will distribute the artist coin, called $YAK. $YAK holders will be able to access unreleased music, stems and other behind-the-scenes material that Kodak […]